Cuomo defies President Trump by promising to protect New York women’s reproductive rights

Gov. Cuomo has promised "to protect a woman’s right to choose." (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Gov. Cuomo defiantly vowed Saturday to expand and protect reproductive rights for women in New York — as a direct rebuttal to President Trump's agenda.

Cuomo announced that New York health insurers will be required to cover medically necessary abortions and most forms of contraception under his new directive.

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"Whatever happens at the federal level, make no mistake, New York will always stand up – and stand tall and stand firm – to protect a woman's right to choose," Cuomo said in a statement Saturday. "You can count on it."

In addition to preserving parts of the Affordable Care Act, which Trump and his Republican cohorts are moving to repeal, the regulations will mandate health insurers cover a woman's initial three-month supply of contraception.

Earlier this month, the state Assembly passed a measure that would ensure the continuation and expansion of contraception coverage for New Yorkers.

"I welcome the governor's proposed regulations today to protect access to the health care New York women rely on — and I won't stop fighting for reproductive justice in the months and years ahead," Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who proposed the legislation, said Saturday.